How to Care for Leptospermum Scoparium

By: Vera Leigh

Updated on: February 05, 2019

The Leptospermum scoparium plant, also known as the tea tree, can grow about 3 feet tall and features small grey-green leaves. Because of its height and its composition as a shrub or small tree, the Leptospermum scoparium grows best outside. It is a versatile plant that can grow in both moist and dry soils, but the soils must be well-drained to avoid root rot. The tea tree needs a garden bed area or yard perch offering access to both sun and shade. The Leptospermum scoparium blooms small white, red and pink flowers in the months of January through May. A few examples of Leptospermum scoparium are the bright red Chapmanii, the crimson Nichollsii and the pink Keatleyii.

Plant your tea tree where it can get a fair amount of sunlight but where it also can enjoy shade. Temperatures for a thriving tea tree are between 15.6 degrees C and 20 degrees Celsius. A tea tree should not be exposed to temperatures below 7.22 degrees Celsius during the winter.

Water your tree about once every seven days--just so that the soil is moist--and fertilise it every two weeks from January until June. Any basic liquid fertiliser works well. If you have a natural manure fertiliser on hand, that also will work well.

Move your tea tree outside if it has been inside beginning in June. Reduce the water and bring it inside once the temperatures begin to fall. Your tea tree should be in a light-filled yet cool place in your house when you bring it inside.

Water your tea tree regularly during November and December as the flowers begin to bloom. This usually amounts to about once or twice every seven days. Keep in mind that your tea tree likely will get natural watering from rain, which is why you do not need to water it on your own more than once a week. You will want to keep the soil moist (even though tee trees can adapt to both moist and dry soils) but not overwatered to avoid root rot.

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Vera Leigh has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2008. Her work has appeared in "Learn Overseas" and "Grad Source" magazines. In addition, she received an honorable mention in "Newsweek's" My Turn contest. She has written features for nonprofits focused on literacy, education, genomics and health. In her spare time, Leigh puts her English major to use by tutoring in grammar and composition.